This 2-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Orrin R. Baldwin

Description:

This 2-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Orrin R. Baldwin, president of the American Harrow Company as well as president of the Merchants and Manufacturers Exchange. The paper has the watermark, "Crane & Co., Dalton, Mass., 1900 Bond No. 21." It was placed in a heavy tan envelope that was sealed with black wax that was impressed with the letter, "B." The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit Mich. Dec. 31 1900 To Detroit's First Mayor of the 21st Century Greetings: I have been requested by our present Mayor the Honorable Wm. C. Maybury to look into Detroit's Industrial and Commercial possibilities a full century and make a prophecy thereon. This is quite a problem and I will undoubtedly be wide of the mark but for your assessment and possible enrichment I cheerfully comply. Today we have about 2000 manufactories, none of which have been established a Century and nearly all less than one fourth of that period. Assuming that the number will increase one percent annually and those now in suburban territory, being then within the city limits, Detroit will have on January 1st 2001 about 5000 manufacturing plants. With the increase in number and the natural growth in size, employment will at that time be given to 500,000 employees supporting 2,500,000 inhabitants. (estimated) I predict that nearly all of Woodward Avenue, from the River north to the Grand Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue east to Belle Isle Bridge will be occupied by business houses. I predict also that Detroit then as now will possess its own Capital and maintain its Conservatism as its people will continue to cherish and keep their success and it will take more than one hundred years to make Detroit thoroughly progressive. I predict further that Sandwich, Windsor and Walkerville now in Canada will be a part of the City of Detroit and that Ontario will be a state of the United States of America. Also that the factory products will be largely transported in Air Ships and discrimination against Detroit shippers will then be a thing of the past; that mechanical skill will control the river's current and the rays of the sun to make power for the industries. Also that Detroit will have a Common Council that will adopt and keep a Time that is standard and in harmony with other great cities of our country. With all due respect for you and your posterity. Yours, Orrin R. Baldwin"

Date Issued:

1900-01-01T00:00:00Z

Data Provider:

Detroit Historical Society

Subject Topic:

American Harrow Company, Merchants and Manufacturers Exchange, and 1901 Time Capsule

Subject Name:

Baldwin, Orrin R.

Format:

Letter

Language:

English

Rights:

No Copyright - United States

URL:

http://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/71856A78-F264-4EA9-9AE9-635931413703